Mark of Love (Love Mark #3) - Linda Kage Page 0,91

knew him from as well.

“What?” Quilla demanded in a low voice.

I turned my body in toward hers so only she could hear me, even as I kept my suddenly suspicious gaze on Nalini. “I know the two companions. The man’s a soothsayer. And the kid’s a magical bloodhound. I guarantee you he’ll be able to smell the glamour on us and tell them we’re under a disguise, so be prepared.”

From the corner of my eye, I saw Quilla nod imperceptibly. “And the woman?”

“No idea,” I confessed. “I met the other two in the Dimway Forest about a moon cycle ago when Nicolette started her royal tour of Far Shore. They traveled with a group of other wayfaring mages that followed a blond Amazon woman.” I glanced toward Quilla, adding, “A blond Amazon woman who told Nicolette she was a direct descendant to the mage who placed the first love mark on Elaina L’Amante.”

Quilla whirled to gape at me. “That would make her a Graykey, then.”

“Yes, it would,” I agreed, returning my gaze to Nalini. “Unless she was lying. Or your family legend is false.”

Snorting at that option, Quilla asked, “What was this blond Amazon woman’s name?”

“Mydera,” I said, which gained Nalini’s immediate attention as if someone had just called her name.

She’d been stroking her hand up the outside of Melaina’s arm while Melaina leaned back against the soothsayer—Wicket, I remember him being called—when he stepped in behind her to shift her hair to the side and kiss the side of her throat. But now her sole focus was on me.

Stepping away from the orgy she’d been on the precipice of beginning right there in the open ferry, Nalini approached us, her hips swaying lustily with each step.

“And you two,” she greeted with a big smile as if she knew us, her arms opening wide in welcome. “You must be the happy new couple. I’ve been looking for you.”

Instantly on guard, I shifted closer to Quilla.

But Nalini waved her fingers as if to calm me. “Be at ease, warrior. I mean your mate no harm. Far from it, in fact.”

“But you’ve been looking for us?” I countered, remaining on high alert as I kept myself positioned between her and Quilla. “Why? How do you even know who we are?”

Nalini opened her mouth to answer, but Holly appeared in front of me in her cat form, hissing and growling. Nalini paused in her tracks, blinking as Holly transformed into an enormous panther with a sleek black pelt, and the high-pitched kitty snarl she was emitting became a low guttural roar.

Claws emerging, she leaped at Nalini's face.

Nalini frowned at her. “How rude,” she accused before lifting her hand and waving the backs of her fingers at the unicorn as if to sweep it aside.

The leaping panther popped out of existence a mere inch from reaching its target.

“What the—” I rushed forward, then spun in a circle, looking for my unicorn. Not even a puff of smoke or sparkles or anything signaled her disappearance. Circling back to face the calm woman who’d wished Holly away with a simple flick of her fingers, I cried, “What the fuck did you just do to her?”

I drew my dagger threateningly, ready to defend Quilla. But since my glamour showcased a young girl and my hands were still stuck together due to my shackles, I didn’t appear too intimidating. It looked like I had to hold the blade with two hands because it was too heavy for me to lift with one.

Quilla’s old-man glamour appeared at my side, swords in both her hands. Melaina rushed to our side, brandishing a weapon as well and thankfully remaining loyal to us.

“Hey! What’s going on here?” The ferry master called from his edge of the ferry where he was busy directing the flow of the boat. “No squabbles on my boat or you’re going overboard.”

“No squabbles here, dear,” Nalini assured him with a flirty smile, blowing him a kiss that caused him to blink as if she’d just blown dust in his eyes. “Forget you ever saw me or my two companions and go about your business now. All is well.”

He nodded and obediently turned away, murmuring a monotone, “All is well.”

“What the hell?” I whispered, realizing she’d just taken control of his mind and thoughts, even his memories. No ordinary, everyday magic could do that.

I gaped at Nalini just as she turned back to us, smiling pleasantly. My expression caused her an amused chuckle. “Relax, darling.” She fluttered out a